News

On this page we will provide you with major updates in Canadian immigration laws, procedures and rules. If you want to receive e-mail updates on the recent immigration changes please subscribe to the updates.

"Applicants will be assessed for permanent residence criteria before they begin working in Canada. Once they obtain a work permit and have two years of work experience under their belts, they will have access to a direct pathway to become a permanent resident."

Starting this week, many of the more than 64,000 asylum seekers in Canada waiting for their cases to be heard could be eligible for a new fast-tracked approach to processing refugee claims, Global News has learned.

News releaseJanuary 11, 2019 – Ottawa, ON – Today, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, announced the Parents and Grandparents (PGP) Program interest to sponsor form will be available to potential sponsors starting at noon EST on January 28, 2019.

The launch of the 2019 PGP Program will include a new and improved intake process.

Ottawa’s use of AI in immigration system has profound implications for human rightsPETRA MOLNAR AND RONALD DEIBERTCONTRIBUTED TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL

PUBLISHED 26-Sep-2018

How would you feel if an algorithm made a decision about your application for a Canadian work permit, or determined how much money you can bring in as an investor? What if it decided whether your marriage is “genuine?” Or if it trawled through your Tweets or Facebook posts to determine if you are “suspicious” and therefore a “risk,” without ever revealing any of the categories it used to make this decision?

“By accepting even more applications this year and next, as well as enhancing the intake system, the Government of Canada is demonstrating its commitment to helping families live, work and thrive together in Canada.”

Hussen said instead of randomly selecting sponsorship candidates in a draw, officials will invite applicants based on the order they submit their forms indicating their interest in sponsoring family members."

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program has a new application stream called the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS), and an expansion to the occupations and skill levels that can be accepted.

These new changes will better serve workers in Alberta who want to become permanent residents. We have simplified processes, which will reduce wait times and provide fair access for all workers who wish to build lives in Alberta.

In response to the program’s expansion to include most occupations and all skill levels, the federal government requires minimum criteria for language, education and income.

As of June 14, 2018, the AINP will accept applications under two streams:

"To support the growth in study permit applications, IRCC today announces the Student Direct Stream (SDS), which is available to students applying for a study permit from China, India, Vietnam and the Philippines. Students from those countries who demonstrate upfront that they have the financial resources and language skills to succeed academically in Canada will benefit from faster processing times.

Similar programs have been in place in these 4 countries for a few years. We are aligning them together into 1 program to ensure consistency.

We are also working on expanding SDS to Africa and are looking at options in Kenya and Senegal. Expansion to Senegal would be in line with the department’s focus to attract more French-speaking students to Canada."

Quick facts

Students applying for SDS must first be accepted at a Canadian learning institution that is designated to host international students. In addition, they must satisfy key criteria, such as submitting proof upfront of:

tuition payment for the first year of study at a designated learning institution in Canada,

purchase of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $10,000,

completion of an upfront medical examination,

a qualifying score of at least 6 for English (IELTS), or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens score of 7 for French (TEF), or graduation from a Canadian-curriculum high school.

May 17, 2018. Starting in the summer of 2018, when you apply for a visitor visa, study or work permit (except U.S. nationals), or permanent residence you will need to give your fingerprints and a photo. To facilitate repeat travel to Canada, applicants for a visitor visa, study or work permit will only need to give their biometrics once every 10 years.

Depending on your nationality, you may need to give your biometrics as soon as this summer

Starting July 31, 2018 – applicants from Europe, Middle East and AfricaStarting December 31, 2018 – applicants from Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas